Mexico and US welcome the entry into force of IBWC Minute 328

• Mexico and the United States will invest US$474 million in sanitation infrastructure for the Tijuana River
• The 17 infrastructure projects will benefit residents on both sides of the border

On behalf of the Government of Mexico, the Chief Officer for North America at the Foreign Ministry, Roberto Velasco Álvarez, took part this morning, together with the U.S. Consul General in Tijuana, Thomas E. Reott, in the presentation of International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) Minute No. 328, "Sanitation Infrastructure Projects in Tijuana, Baja California - San Diego, California for Immediate Implementation and for Future Development."

A ceremony was held in the outdoor amphitheater of the Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center, located in Imperial Beach, California, to sign the communiqués notifying the entry into force of Minute 328, which includes 17 priority water and sanitation infrastructure projects for implementation on the border that will be financed with a total joint investment of 474 million dollars. The projects include expansion of the International Wastewater Treatment Plant (IWTP) on the US side and the rehabilitation or replacement of deteriorated sewer lines and pump stations on the Mexican side and the complete renovation of the San Antonio de los Buenos treatment plant in in Baja California.

With this key agreement, the governments of Mexico and the United States commit to working together to plan, design, build and rehabilitate the existing wastewater infrastructure in the Tijuana, Baja California - San Diego, California region, including the Pacific Ocean. The new infrastructure will provide for sewage lines, treatment, disposal and, where appropriate, the reuse of wastewater to reduce pollution in the Tijuana River basin.

With this, the governments of Mexico and the United States have taken a historic step in complying with Article 3 of the 1944 Water Treaty between Mexico and the United States and in working together to safeguard the environment on our border.

Also participating in the event were the Mexican and U.S. Commissioners, Adriana Reséndez and María-Elena Giner, respectively; the Director of Border Affairs at the Foreign Ministry, Pablo Gálvez; the Director of Engineering and Binational Water Issues for Mexico's National Water Commission (Conagua), José Gutiérrez; the Consul General of Mexico in San Diego, Carlos González, and the mayors of Imperial Beach, San Diego and Chula Vista, California.

In his remarks, Chief Officer for North America Roberto Velasco thanked both sections of the IBWC and the federal, state and local authorities of the two countries for their work. He said the agreement's entry into force was a historic event that acknowledged and celebrated the joint work done by Mexico and the United States in recent years.

He recognized the leadership of Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard, Conagua Director General Germán Martínez, and Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar for reaching binational agreements that improve the wellbeing of residents on the border, as President López Obrador has instructed.

Finally, he reaffirmed the commitment and interest of the Government of Mexico in resolving the sanitation problems on the border, and pledged to continue coordinating on cooperation measures that benefit the inhabitants on both sides of the border.

Priority projects to be implemented with the entry into force of IBWC Minute 328

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